In the United States, 87.4 million people own smartphones. And, in 2012, smartphone sales are expected to top sales of personal computers. As smartphones allow people to connect with businesses in new and exciting ways, businesses in turn need to become savvier about going mobile.

For example, a small home health care provider recently utilized smartphones to expand to 400 patients across four major counties in Utah. Its employees previously struggled to keep up with all the paperwork and regulatory requirements, so the company decided to go completely mobile, equipping its entire staff with Microsoft Windows Phones. This allowed the staff to visit patients and instantly update their condition and treatments.

For small businesses, embracing the smartphone age is becoming crucial for success. Here are some easy ways small businesses can go mobile in 2012:

Invest in smartphones - Transitioning from a flip phone to a smartphone makes it much easier to run a business on the go. Providing easy access to email, calendar information and the Internet, smartphones increase productivity and can provide peace of mind while out of the office. Today, smartphones are more affordable than in the past, so now is a perfect time to take advantage of their capabilities.

Consider industry-specific devices - Numerous mobile technologies, from smartphone applications to tablets, have been created with specific industries in mind. For example, rugged tablets that can withstand the elements are available for those in the construction industry and tablets created for the health care industry can be sterilized between patient visits to avoid contamination.

Make websites mobile-compatible - In an era in which most consumers first go to the Internet to find local service providers, it’s crucial that small businesses have a polished and informative online presence that’s friendly for mobile consumption. Even for business owners who aren’t tech-savvy, starting a website is feasible. A quick Internet search will reveal numerous free or low-cost website templates. You might also choose to work with a Web developer to ensure your business’s website is smartphone-friendly.

Get social - Popular social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter make it simple to connect with customers in a casual, but also personal, manner and also embrace the mobile population that frequents these sites on smartphones. Consider leveraging one or more of these platforms to further establish your business’s online presence and create positive buzz around new offerings and special deals and promotions.

For more ideas on how to easily boost your business with mobile technology, visit http://www.microsoftbusinesshub.com.

According to a recent study from Infinite Research, Americans adoption of tablets—such as the iPad or Galaxy Tab —is happening at a faster pace than any other electronic device in history, including computers, game consoles and smartphones.

In fact, a recent report from eMarketer projects that by 2014, nearly 90 million Americans will be using tablets monthly. And already, almost half of the respondents in a Google AdMob survey of tablet users said they use their tablet more often than their computer or laptop. This popularity is driving people to find ways to make using tablets easier and more convenient.

To this end, tablet accessories can help take entertainment and content creation to the next level. Here are five fun ways to trick out your tablet:

Type Up a Best Seller
Tablets can be used for more than surfing the Web and reading books. With the array of wireless keyboards designed for tablets, heavy-duty typing is completely doable. Compact and wireless keyboards like the Logitech Keyboard Case for iPad 2 (also for Samsung Galaxy Tab) combine the luxury of typing on a comfortable surface within a protective case that also holds your tablet upright.

Work and the Web, Smarter
Touch-screen cursor control isn’t the best for everything, especially when working on something that requires more than simple pointing or clicking. In fact, a mouse is a must-have for any task that requires formatting text and images, or navigating the Web for any length of time. No longer just accessories for PCs, there are a few mouse options designed for tablets. Look for one that brings laser precision to interacting with the tablet, and Bluetooth wireless pairing will make it easy to use on the go.

Beat Your Highest Score
Strong graphic performance and processing speed make tablets a great tool for gamers—from the casual to the serious. If you want game-winning precision not afforded by touch-screen controls, attach the Logitech Joystick for iPad or iPad 2 for the familiar feel and responsiveness of a thumb-stick-style controller.

Get Help in the Kitchen
The kitchen is one place a tablet can be at the center of a domestic experience. Using an adjustable tablet stand, the chef can pull up and display an online recipe while being inspired by a favorite playlist, all at once.

Set the Backyard BBQ to Music
Bringing music to your backyard can be a hassle, often compromising selection or sound. However, when an iPad (iPhone or iPod touch) can wirelessly stream music to a speaker, such as the Logitech Wireless Speaker for iPad (also available for Android devices), you enjoy more control over the music. Plus, the speaker can blast tunes from your tablet’s full library from up to 50 feet away.

Whether you’re looking for more function or more fun, you can trick out your tablet with accessories designed to make your life easier.

On Thursday, January 26, they will be sponsoring a Data Privacy Day event, “The Intersection of Privacy and Security,” featuring the Honorable Julie Brill, Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission.

Although it falls on a Saturday this year, the National Cyber Security Alliance will be celebrating with events throughout January and into February. There will also be a live-streamed Facebook event, accessible here, and live panel discussions on Thursday, January 26th from 9:30 to 11:30 am EST at http://on.fb.me/dctalkslive.

A successful business is a trusted brand that protects customer and employee data, privacy and security. Businesses small and large have opportunities to improve privacy awareness and promote best practices among employees, management, clients, customers, subscribers, partners, and other audiences. Consider doing the following in honor of Data Privacy Day:

• Become an official sponsor, partner or champion of Data Privacy Day.
• Sponsor or host a Data Privacy Day event in your area.
• Ensure that your company has a designated employee in charge of privacy and that you are complying with all applicable privacy laws.
• Develop internet privacy policies for your business. The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Business Center is a great resource http://business.ftc.gov/privacy.and.security. If you already have policies in place, review and update them to ensure they address current threats and best practices.
• Conduct employee training on privacy as it relates to employment, helping employees learn how to protect the privacy of clients’ and customers’ personal information and teaching employees how to manage their own privacy at work.
• Host a series of educational events or a brown bag lunch for your employees designed to increase
• awareness about data privacy in an area of interest to your employees including: mobile privacy; social networking; identity fraud and theft; online tracking; health privacy; online reputation management. Use materials, posters and videos available at http://www.staysafeonline.org/dpd.
• Create a plan in the event the privacy of customer data is compromised by a data breach. Check out the Debix Data Breach Incident Response Workbook for ideas (http://www.debix.com/workbook/index.php).
• Communicate with your clients, membership, or workforce about privacy awareness in the month of
• January in honor of Data Privacy Day using company newsletters, intranets, networks, and other internal communications. Blog about privacy throughout the month of January. Use social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to disseminate information and encourage customers and employees to learn more about privacy. Feel free to use content found at http://www.staysafeonline.org/dpd.
• Become a fan of Data Privacy: NCSA on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DataPrivacyNCSA) and
• follow Data Privacy Day on Twitter (@DataPrivacyDay).
• Encourage the privacy and security professionals in your workplace to visit local schools to talk with teens about privacy and share the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. message.
• Create and disseminate engaging educational materials for your customers, for consumers, for employees or for businesses.
• Conduct a study to advance understanding of privacy practices and share the results in honor of Data Privacy Day.
• Hold a shredding event to raise awareness about data privacy.

For more information, as well as tip sheets and other promotional materials, visit http://www.staysafeonline.org/.

Helpful Tip Sheets:

Privacy Tips for Social Networking

Mobile Privacy Tips

If you’re already employing remote workers or are planning on it, take into consideration the following:

Getting it in Writing
The latest contract management software can make a strong case for calls to abandon paperwork completely. But while such technology certainly provides you with court-friendly templates, e-signing is not the way to go when dealing with remote workers, especially if surety bonds and other obligatory steps are taken. Even if it means overnighting documents across the country, it pays to put it in writing.

Confirmation of Identity is Critical
A true identity is a precious commodity on the Internet. Confirming a worker’s identity through documentation and a face-to-face is a mainstay of the hiring process, but it gets a little difficult when distance is added into the equation. But with the help of scanners and Skype, confirming someone’s identity online is not as difficult as it seems. With that said, it’s most certainly as critical as it seems when it comes to your remote workers.

Cost Benefits
One thing many a greenhorn e-entrepreneur fail to consider is the fact that non-commuting workers do not need to be paid as much as those who are asked to travel for their job. Once you’ve established the fair pay for a particular job, subtract the cost of what you deem would be a realistic average commute for a would-be office worker, then make that your opening offer.

Deadlines are More Useful than Daily Quotas
When developing your e-business model that includes remote workers it’s probably a smart idea to anticipate a wide range of hourly productivity rates on a weekly basis. Those working from home are going to juggle their schedules more than they otherwise would in an office especially if they have families. Instead of demanding daily levels of work, make them adhere to deadlines at the end of the week and focus on enforcing this instead, as well as coordinating the sales end to this schedule.

Outsourcing is Cheap, but Exercise Caution
The elephant in the room when it comes to entrepreneurs developing e-offices is of course the issue of outsourcing. The thing that can be said about this issue is that, while there are clear economic advantages to hiring labor outside of the country, keep in mind that the laws that small business owners can rely on when it comes to enforcing surety bond agreements and other arrangements may not protect you. Unlike corporations that have armies of lawyers to handle these affairs, you will be on your own. If you hire outside the country, make sure you’re hiring the right people.

The virtual office is one of the best ways today’s business minded individuals can see success in a struggling global economy. The slashed overhead and other cost-savers provide real incentive to those looking to cut every ounce of fat from their entrepreneurial ideas. But so long as you will be relying on others, it pays to ensure that you take the best first steps possible when hiring such remotely placed workers. Do this, and there’s virtually no way an e-office won’t enhance your level of success.

The Trend
Increasingly, workers today are bringing their personal devices to the company IT department to enable access to e-mail and other productivity apps on them.

According to a recent Forrester report, three-quarters of U.S. workers pick the smartphone they want rather than accept IT’s choice. What’s more, another recent survey discovered increasing numbers of enterprises across all industries are supporting a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) model, and in more than half of those instances, employees shoulder the cost of their device and service plan.

The Problem
So now employees can use their favorite devices for work but companies must support more platforms and deliver business apps including e-mail, chat and portals on iPads, iPhones, Android and Windows phones. That means that data and apps will be used from any location over any network—which can endanger sensitive company information, potentially getting workers or their employers into trouble.

To keep confidential data stored on personal mobile devices from falling into the wrong hands, many IT departments turn to third-party solutions to better secure, monitor, manage and support the variety of mobile devices used by employees. Using one of these solutions, IT organizations can implement security controls such as passwords and remote wipe and lock, which lets IT erase corporate data from a mobile device in the event it’s lost or stolen.

The challenge is that most employees don’t want to enter a complex password every time they need to make a phone call, send a text message or update their Facebook status. Plus, when employees use their personal phones for work, a remote wipe could erase personal apps and data in addition to corporate data and applications.

A Solution
Fortunately, companies such as Good Technology take a different approach to these BYOD security challenges and keep the best interests of employees and the company in mind. Good helps companies separate and secure corporate data while leaving employees’ private information untouched.

For example, rather than remotely wiping the entire device, IT can wipe only corporate data, leaving personal data and applications intact. This lets employees use their personal mobile devices at work without having to worry about compromising company information.

Keeping Information Secure
Don’t use cloud programs on your mobile device to share corporate files and data.

Beware of e-mail fraud.
Don’t send e-mail to anyone you don’t know or respond to e-mails from unknown sources without first verifying that they are legitimate.

Secure your device’s settings and have it automatically lock after five minutes.

Don’t forward e-mails from your corporate address to private e-mail accounts, especially e-mails with attachments.

Don’t use check-in apps everywhere.
Turn location setting off when not using apps that require it.

Be careful of beta programs/apps—they can be dangerous, as in many cases the developers haven’t sorted out security yet.

Further Information
To learn more, visit http://www.good.com.

Cloud computing makes it possible for companies to access powerful software applications via the Internet for a simple monthly fee. Because the applications are delivered via the Internet, every small business can get access to the same innovations and tools that bigger competitors have been using for years. For instance, Microsoft Corp. recently launched Microsoft Office 365, which brings together the company’s familiar Microsoft Office applications with its enterprise email, videoconferencing and other collaboration and communication capabilities delivered as a subscription service.

Using the cloud can help your business do the following:

Build a “borderless office.” A good cloud service will connect you with colleagues and customers virtually anywhere via click-to-chat, videoconference or shared desktops, to work together whether you’re across town or around the globe. Eliminating unnecessary travel by using these online tools will not only save on costs, it will help you run a green business.

Chaundra Smith, owner of Naturally Me, makes handcrafted, natural body care products in Durham, N.C. Using the cloud, she has set up a virtual team of consultants and staff members who all work together and collaborate in their “borderless” office.

Tip: Look for a cloud service that lets you make PC-to-PC voice and video calls and hold online meetings on the fly. You’ll want to be able to share your desktop, online whiteboard and presentations with colleagues—as if you’re in the same room, even when you’re a city or continent away.

Work how you want, where you want. The cloud untethers you from your desk and keeps you connected wherever you are. Web-enabled and offline access to your important documents, email, contacts and calendars helps you stay nimble and responsive.

Team members at high-performance carmaker and parts company Shelby American, Inc. in Las Vegas travel frequently around the globe and require remote connectivity to collaborate on new product development. Cloud-based tools help everyone stay connected and keep the business moving while out of the office.

Tip: Look for a cloud service that works on a PC, Mac and smartphone, with consistent experience on each device. The best services help you edit spreadsheets, presentations and other documents with others in real time and view files from a browser or mobile device.

Invest in tomorrow without breaking the bank today. The cloud lets your small business run on the same technology that powers the Fortune 500, without hiring an army of IT experts, so you can focus on your core business. Beyond cost savings, many small businesses realize additional benefits after they move to the cloud—better collaboration among employees, customers and partners means quicker sharing of ideas and problem resolution. A cloud-powered small business is more nimble and prepares you to adapt to changing business needs—now and in the future.

Imagination Yoga, a small, family-owned business in Portland, Ore., teaches a “kindness-based” curriculum, instructing children on yoga concepts and storytelling to spark their creativity and get them exercising. The company plans to use cloud-based collaboration to market its services, connect with more schools and families across the country, and create online enrollment options for customers, which saves time and money. The cloud also allows every Imagination Yoga employee to access the company’s Microsoft Outlook calendar, keeping everyone on the same page.

But in order to succeed, you have to have the right tools for the job. Here are some tips to make sure your home office is set up properly and conducive to getting your work done.

Have a dedicated workspace. Setting up shop on a kitchen or dining room table is not an easy way to work. Make sure you have a comfortable desk and chair in a distraction-free room, and don’t forget to make sure the lighting is bright enough to keep you alert and focused.

Find the best technology for what you do. No matter what kind of work you are doing from your home, you won’t get very far if you don’t have the proper technology to meet your needs. For example, while computer needs are relatively easy to determine for home-based businesses, printers often get overlooked. For a small-business owner like Kim Bright, a graphic artist and owner of Graphics in Bloom, a printer is one of her most important tools.

“I have to design pieces for clients that convey their message with a certain tone or feeling, so I need a wide range of tools to do this effectively,” she says. “This sometimes requires photo-realistic graphical elements or actual product images.”

One printer that accomplishes this is the HP TopShot LaserJet Pro M275, which can scan documents and 3D objects by taking six images from different angles and lighting, and automatically combining them into a single high-resolution, seamless image that pops off the page. Plus, editing of the scan can be done on the printer’s LCD touch screen and uploaded in one step using HP’s web-connected apps. Learn more at www.hp.com.

“HP TopShot has saved me a significant amount of time by allowing me to utilize the built-in technology to easily capture images of 3D objects and send them to my clients quickly,” Bright says. “The quality images I’m able to capture ensure a high standard for the work I deliver to my clients. And I can now have extra time to spend on my creativity.”

Have the flexibility to work on the go. Most self-employed workers don’t get the benefit of working exclusively from their home office. With today’s sophisticated mobile devices, self-employed workers have the power to communicate and compute from virtually anywhere their business takes them. Combined with HP ePrint, they can remain productive and stay connected to their business even when they’re on the road or at a client’s office. Using HP ePrint, they can print contracts, or other documents to any HP ePrint-enabled printer, and send the signed contracts to print immediately so they are ready when they return.

But the holiday season is not only a good time to end the year with a bang, it’s also a smart time for some strategic spending to invigorate your business by putting some new technology under its tree. Not only will employees be ecstatic about the upgrade, but investing in new technology before year’s end makes business sense for a handful of reasons:

Cost savings. The holidays are a good time to find the best deals and sales on retailers’ shelves. Saving money on necessary expenses is always a good idea – and for many businesses, purchasing by Dec. 31 could mean you qualify for a write-off when tax season arrives in March.

Productivity. Investing in new technology can make businesses more productive and profitable in the new year. Upgrading technology gives employees faster, more efficient tools and allows them to save time, which ultimately means saving money.

Support. If a business is still using Windows XP, upgrading now to Windows 7 Professional means there will be no disruption to access to technical assistance when support for the Windows XP operating system ends in April 2014.

So now that you know some of the reasons why you should invest in new technology this holiday season, you may be asking what you should look for when shopping for PCs for your company.

Most small businesses – like Santa’s workshop – will benefit from choosing machines that are security-enhanced, have a high capacity to increase productivity, have round-the-clock support, provide mobile freedom and give users a fun, enjoyable experience. The following are six hot new PCs on retailers’ shelves this year that offer the features and functions small businesses are looking for:

Acer Aspire Timeline X 4830T. If you need a PC that’s equally versatile for use in the home, in the office or at school, this PC will help you stay productive, secure and mobile. And with a high-definition wide screen, it provides crystal-clear images.

Toshiba Portege Z830. The lightest 13-inch ultrabook weighs just 2.5 pounds but packs plenty of power in a reinforced case. Add in a spill-resistant keyboard and advanced AirFlow cooling, and this machine is perfect for business on the go.

Dell Vostro V131. Ultrathin and tipping the scale at just 3.6 pounds, this laptop was made for small businesses that need to take their technology on the road. With a battery life of 9.5 hours, you’ll be able to get through the day on a single charge.

Samsung 900X 1B. Duralumin, the same material used in aircraft construction, makes this laptop light and incredibly strong. It boots in just 12 seconds and features a display two times brighter than other conventional PCs in the market.

HP ProBook 5330m. Its thin, lightweight design, compact profile and 13.3-inch diagonal display makes this notebook ideal for small businesses. And with a sleek design with magnesium bottom, aluminum enclosure and radiant dual-tone finish, you know your clients will be impressed.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1. At seven-tenths of an inch thick, this is the thinnest ThinkPad ever made. Weighing in at just 3.7 pounds, this machine also features Lenovo RapidCharge battery technology that charges the battery to 80 percent capacity in just 30 minutes.

All these PCs are available and ready to be gift wrapped this holiday season with Windows 7 Professional, which was designed specifically with small businesses in mind. For more information on small-business offers from Microsoft Corp., visit www.microsoft.com/windows/business.

For example, the Professional 2-copy USB Duplicator, which weighs only 12 ounces, can easily slip into a briefcase, purse or backpack for fast, portable duplicating.

Previously, most users required a desktop or laptop computer to duplicate a USB flash drive. But a portable duplicator can help sales-people copy PowerPoint presentations, brochures or sales literature; engineers and technicians to transfer documents in-field; presenters to easily disseminate material at trade shows or seminars; and teachers to pass out study materials and homework.

Even those in creative fields can employ it to distribute copies of their product, be it music, video, literature or graphic art. As an added bonus, the device also verifies the specs of most any USB flash drive. For more information on EZ Dupe’s 2-copy USB Duplicator, go to www.officedepot.com or visit any Office Depot location.

Nearly one in five Americans report that they have been the victim of a phishing scam, according to the results of a survey conducted by Experian, the leading global services information company. Alarmingly, of those respondents who wouldn’t or didn’t report having been a victim of phishing, nearly two-thirds reported that it was because they didn’t know how.

While taking proactive measures can help minimize your chances of being the unwilling participant in fraudulent activity, it’s equally as important to know how to react in the event that you do find yourself the victim of a phishing scam. Rod Griffin, director of public education at Experian, offers some dos and don’ts for the critical next steps you should take if you have been phished.

Things to Do:
Notify law enforcement. The war against phishers cannot be won in isolation. It is important that you notify your local police department or other appropriate law enforcement agency of any instances of confirmed theft of your personal information as this may help prevent similar activity from happening to you or others in the future.

File an online report with the Federal Trade Commission. You can log on to www.consumer.gov/idtheft for step-by-step instructions on how to file a report.

Contact sources that report fraudulent information. It’s important to contact your bank or credit card companies that handle accounts that may have been compromised. Contacting a credit reporting company is also important. You can request that the credit reporting company add a fraud alert to your credit report and notify the other national credit reporting companies so they can do the same. As a potential fraud victim, you can request a free copy of your credit report and review it for any fraudulent information.

Contact the company that appeared to request the information fraudulently. If you suspect that you’ve received a fraudulent email or been contacted via instant messaging, directly contacting the company in question will allow you to either verify the request or notify the organization of phishing activity.

Things to Avoid:
Delay reporting. Immediate action is essential to mitigate the potentially negative consequences that can result from fraudulent activity.

Take a narrow course of action. Partnership is the key to minimize the consequences of any form of identity theft; be sure to communicate appropriately with national credit reporting companies, credit grantors, data providers, law enforcement and government agencies.

Be embarrassed. Every year, a staggering number of people are victims of phishing activity. It’s much more humbling to have to deal with the long-term consequences of identity theft than to come forward and seek assistance.

Reinvent the wheel. While it may be helpful to take additional precautionary measures in the future (e.g., subscribing to an identity theft monitoring service, such as that available at http://www.protectmyid.com), it may not be necessary to replace your electronic devices (i.e., computer or smartphone) or reapply for personal documentation (i.e., Social Security number) but you should ensure that you have up to date anti-virus and desktop firewall protections.